Hivebound Carapace

Hivebound Carapace

Artifact Studded Leather Armor — Attunement required by a Rogue, Fighter, or Cleric devoted to the Beekeeper

Appearance

Forest-green studded leather, its surface glimmering like serpent scales veined with golden light. Each stud is etched with a honeycomb sigil that glows faintly and hums with unseen wings. In dim light, the armor ripples with living shadow. When its power is called, vast golden-dragon wings woven from shadow and swarm-light unfurl behind the wearer.

Armor Class

• Base AC: 12 + Dexterity modifier.
• While attuned, you gain a +3 bonus to AC.
• Counts as both armor and a holy symbol of the Beekeeper.

 Example (Eztli, DEX 22 = +6):
12 + 6 = 18.
+3 artifact bonus = 21 AC.

Defenses

• Immunities: Poison damage, Poisoned condition, Paralyzed condition.
• Resistances: Cold, Necrotic, Psychic.
• Resistance to Mundane Blows: You have resistance to all bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage from nonmagical weapons.
• Magic Resistance: Advantage on saving throws vs. spells and magical effects.
• Breath Evasion: Immune to poison breath; against other breath weapons, you take no damage on a successful DEX save, half on a failed save.

Powers of the Hive

Swarmguard (Always Active):
When struck in melee, spectral bees lash out.

• Attacker must succeed on a CON save (DC 19) or take 6d6 piercing + 6d6 poison damage and be poisoned until end of its next turn.

Venomous Breath of the Hive (PB/day):

• Action: Exhale a 60-ft cone of venomous fumes.
• Save: CON save (DC 19).
• Fail: 12d6 poison damage, poisoned for 1 minute, and surrounded by ghostly bees, giving them disadvantage on attack rolls against you while poisoned.
• Success: Half damage.
• Uses: Per long rest = Proficiency Bonus.

Hive’s Dominion (Aura, 30 ft):

• Allies: Advantage on saving throws vs. charm & fear.
• Enemies: Must succeed on a WIS save (DC 18) at start of their turn or be frightened until their next turn.

Shadow-Wreathed Wings (1/day):

• Bonus Action: Manifest golden-dragon wings of living shadow for 1 hour.
• Gain a flying speed of 60 ft.
• While airborne, weapon attacks deal +2d8 poison damage.
• Enemies within 10 ft of you at the start of their turn have disadvantage on attack rolls against you until the start of their next turn, as shadows cling and swarm around them.

Shadowstep of the Hive (PB/short rest):

• Bonus Action: Step into a shadow within 10 ft and emerge from another shadow within 60 ft that you can see.
• While moving this way, you are invisible until the end of your current turn.
• If you end your turn in dim light or darkness, gain advantage on your first attack roll on your next turn.
• Uses per short rest = Proficiency Bonus.

Queen’s Last Sting (1/day):
When reduced to 0 HP, the hive erupts.

• All enemies within 60 ft must make a CON save (DC 20).
• Fail: 10d10 poison damage + paralyzed until end of next turn.
• Success: Half damage.
• Afterward, you heal 5d10 HP and remain standing.

Divine Mark

• Insects will not attack you.
• Serpents bow or slither aside.
• Your voice carries the shadowed drone of the hive, granting advantage on Persuasion & Intimidation checks.

Background Story

The Hivebound Carapace was born in silence and blood. After the Desert Conclave Massacre, when Eztli returned alive but too many witnesses escaped her blade, the Beekeeper whispered in her chosen’s ear: “You will not only be my fang, but my hive.”

The goddess summoned a swarm that devoured serpents, men, and wax alike, binding them into living leather. Studs of Angstone were hammered into it, each etched with the mark of honeycomb. In the darkness of her sanctum, the Beekeeper anointed the armor with venom and shadow, whispering life into its stitches.

The first time Eztli wore it, golden-shadow wings burst from her back, carrying her into the sky above her enemies. Soldiers who looked up swore they saw not a woman, but the hive itself descending to claim them. From that day, the armor was no mere garment — it was a swarm bound to flesh, a second skin that hummed with divine judgment.

“Her armor does not protect her. It proclaims her. She does not wear it — she becomes it.” — inscription, Temple of the Serpent’s Crown